Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

Daley Blind was not a part of the 18-man Manchester United matchday squad that arrived at The Lowry Hotel on Thursday yet it was his name that appeared on the squad sheet ahead of Cameron Borthwick-Jackson's.

Blind, described as 'very tired' two weeks ago, has started every United game since late October and it again showed against Liverpool .

Needing goals to remain in the Europa League, United were bound to be porous and never quite had the measure of an attack with two of the most gifted footballers in England. With Michael Carrick ahead of Blind, he lacked sufficient cover when on the back foot.

Blind's footballing ability was prioritised over his defending, which epitomises Van Gaal's questionable handling of United's defence and the paucity of options he is sanguine with. United were not as over-reliant on the Dutchman's distribution as they were at Anfield with Carrick in the side, but it speaks volumes of Van Gaal's inexplicably casual preparations that when a stopgap central defender like Blind might be sidelined it sparks panic.

Blind performed commendably

The Rafael conundrum

Guillermo Varela was United's best player against West Ham but he was the worst against Liverpool. Even before Philippe Coutinho strolled past him, the Uruguayan's composure was lacking and his positional awareness, one of his biggest weaknesses, was affording Liverpool plenty of space down the left, which made his interval withdrawal inevitable.

Van Gaal might not have planned on using Varela at all this season with Matteo Darmian, Antonio Valencia and even Ashley Young ahead of him. However, it is hypocritical of the United manager to retain someone as raw and risky as Varela but sell Rafael, a player whose cult status was built on his performances against Liverpool.

United missed the Brazilian.

Watch: Scholes says Liverpool were far better team against United

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

Van Gaal didn't do his research

Two years and one day ago, United lost at home to Liverpool in a 4-2-3-1 formation with a central midfield axis of Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick.

United's regression to their David Moyes level occurred months ago but Van Gaal has a spectacular tendency to channel the spirit of the Scot. It says much about the Dutchman's reign that had Morgan Schneiderlin – a player who is essential as United rebuild its spine – lined up it would have been a surprise.

In such a rigid formation, United were bypassed, as the attempt at fluidity was limited to Jesse Lingard's and Juan Mata's interchanging. United's efforts were more spirited than Moyes' men but they are easy to counter against even with a 'safe' coach in charge.

Fellaini might not regain fans' support

There was one occasion in the first-half when a Fellaini pass went in the right direction and some in the mild-mannered south stand were so apoplectic they were brought to their feet, spitting venom in the Belgian's direction. It was the most caustic reaction to a pass by a United player at Old Trafford since Jonny Evans' infamous back pass against Sunderland last season.

Fellaini then went backwards when he should have gone forwards in the second-half. Again, the crowd was on his back. Then he spooned the ball over.

“Scholesy's right, your team is s***e,” Liverpool fans crowed.

"I didn't touch him, gov."

Signings sidelined

Of United's five outfield signings bought in the summer, only Anthony Martial started their biggest game of the season.

Bastian Schweinsteiger was not regarded fit enough for 90 minutes and Matteo Darmian might still be ring-rusty, but Van Gaal's hesitancy over Schneiderlin is a symptom of the problematic and restrictive 4-2-3-1 formation which has defined United's joyless season. United did not have the intensity in midfield to counter Liverpool's attack with Carrick, eight years Schneiderlin's senior, patrolling the midfield. Ander Herrera was not risked against Liverpool again.

As for Memphis, in the autumn he looked Nani-lite. That would now be a compliment to the struggling Dutchman, who has failed to capitalise on his dazzling and determined displays against Midtjylland and Arsenal last month.